JaMarcus Russell, former No. 1 pick, to attempt NFL comeback

Former quarterback JaMarcus Russell, one of the biggest busts in NFL Draft history, will attempt a comeback, reports Yahoo! Sports.

Russell quickly flamed out of the NFL after the Oakland Raiders took him with the top pick in the 2007 Draft. In 2009, his last year in the league, Russell threw eight more interceptions than touchdowns and completed less than half of his throws.

He also struggled to control his weight during his career. Yahoo!'s report says Russell currently weighs 308 pounds. The 6-6 quarterback reportedly wants to get closer to his playing weight of 265 pounds.

“My first year out, I couldn’t watch football but after a while, I couldn’t keep the TV off. I got that itchy feeling but now I gotta watch it, gotta watch,” Russell told Yahoo!.

“The last few years, the things going through my life, football is my job and it is how it feeds my family. People would say I didn’t love the game but that pisses me off. People don’t know the real you but I want people to know the real me and see what I can do. People are always saying that I’m a bust. I want show them I’m not. I’m committed to this now.”

In July 2010, Russell was arrested for possession of codeine syrup without a prescription. He later admitted he had tested positive for the substance after the 2007 Draft.

Yahoo! reports Russell's comeback will be a team effort led by former NFL receiver Mike Clayton. Among the others who will work with the quarterback are Jeff Garcia and Marshall Faulk.

Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim wrote about Russell's post-football life in 2011. To read that story, click here.